Lowcountry Local First relocates, expands its local-independent coworking space Local Works to open in RCB Development’s “The Lumberyard” before end of year  CHARLESTON, SC  –  Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is set to relocate and expand its local-independent coworking space known as Local Works. The nonprofit economy-building organization launched Local Works in 2014 as Charleston’s first […]

Local Works is Charleston’s first and longest-running open-sector coworking space.   That means we’re committed to providing a welcoming and supportive place for folks who work for nonprofits, LLCs, B-Corps, startups, charities, school districts, cultural movements, and the arts. So, we’re inclusive of all types of projects. We want to see them thrive and succeed and explore […]

Local Works, a 3,000sf community coworking space located on Upper Meeting Street,  aims to provide low-cost contract-free professional workspace for entrepreneurs and businesses in need of a creative and collaborative environment.  This open-sector coworking model supports businesses in need of dependable space and an active community ripe for partnerships. Results from our 2018 Member Survey  reveal that, […]

Local Works Coworking Space and Grassroots Gymnastics are teaming up to offer a convenient, affordable option for work-from-home parents this summer! Drop the kids off in the morning for a full- or half-day of gymnastics summer camp, then head five minutes up the road to your office for the day. Flexible options available for 10, […]

Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is proud to announce Tina Singleton andHafeezah Yates as the two newest recipients of its Creative in Residence program, an initiative that awards a six-month opportunity at Local Works, LLF’s non-sector coworking space. Tina and Hafeezah will begin their residency in January 2018 and receive mentorship over a six-month period to enrich their creative ventures. Tina […]

The Creative Industries add more than $3.2B to the Charleston metro economy and  are the 4th largest employment cluster, yet most entrepreneur support groups and  coworking spaces are focused on the tech and  and  high-growth sectors. We believe that it is just as important to support the creative industries. The Creative in Residence Program aims to […]

Join us for an artist happy hour featuring the works of local photographer, Jared Bramblett. This event is free and  open to all. Date: Monday, Nov 6, 2017 Time: 6 – 8pm Location: Local Works – 1630 Meeting Street Rd, Charleston, SC 29405 – Second Building On September 11th 2017, Hurricane Irma made land fall over […]

Join Lowcountry Local First and  Local Works‘ partner, Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union, for an overview of the commercial lending land scape. Through this presentation, attendees will learn about differences between loan products, documentation needed for business loan applications, loan structures, business debt schedules, and  get an in-depth look at the fees associated with loan costs. Bruce Wolfe, […]

Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is proud to announce Cody Carlyle Dixon as one of the two recipients of its Creative in Residence program, an initiative that awards a six-month opportunity at Local Works, LLF’s non-sector coworking space. Cody will began this residency on July 1 and  will receive mentorship over a six-month period to enrich his creative ventures. […]

Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is proud to announce Matthew Mebane and  Cody Carlyle Dixon as the two recipients of its Creative in Residence program, an initiative that awards a six-month opportunity at Local Works, LLF’s non-sector coworking space. Matthew and  Cody will begin their residency on July 1 and  receive mentorship over a six-month period to enrich their creative […]

Somehow it’s already December. We’re not sure how that’s possible or where the time went but we’re facing facts and  conceding that 2017 is right around the corner. But before we start making resolutions for next year, we’re pausing to reflect on some of the amazing things that’ve happened at Local Works in 2016. We […]

Local Works strives to create a comfortable and  inspiring workspace for our members. One of the ways we do this is through collaborations with local artists. Each quarter, we invite an artist to display their work throughout the space—it’s become a revolving perspective that’s brought something fresh and  interesting for us to admire and  discuss. […]

Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is proud to announce Katie Ashley and  Tyquan Morton as the two recipients of its Creative in Residence program, a new initiative that awards a six-month opportunity at Local Works, LLF’s non-sector coworking space. Ashley and  Morton will begin their residency on January 1stand  receive mentorship over a six-month period to […]

  Kelly describes herself as a Social Justice Documentarian. She’s covered issues such as high foreclosure rates that were crippling communities in Boston, Massachusetts with her project We Shall Not Be Moved. She highlighted the coming of age story of 15 year-old Courvosier Cox with her compelling project In This World. Courvosier as one of six […]

     Lowcountry Local First in conjunction with Enough Pie are thrilled to bring you Spring 2016 eatUP! starting in April various food trucks will be located in the lot of 1600 Meeting Street serving lunch to the Upper Peninsula from 11:30am-1:30pm.. Come together over delicious food, play some corn hole, and  enjoy some rays outside at […]

  The phrase “work-life balance” has now become rooted in our lexicon. For many it has become the elusive leprechaun at the end of the rainbow, impossible to obtain. Life contains multitudes that can overlap and  overwhelm. Careers, commutes, family, financial hurdles and  even carving out time to ‘relax’ are just some of the elements that […]

There is such trans-formative power in the written word; even more so when you see those words come to life. A book, play or poem can take you to another place and  time, inspire, or spark a nostalgic moment in time. Greenville native and  long time Charleston transplant, David Lee Nelson, is a versatile artist […]

Joanna is the Jill of all trades for a new Charleston-based natural food startup, which is developing a product line that will feature superfood and  plant-based nutritional supplements and  snacks. She is assisting the Kale-King, Brad Gruno, in laying the foundation for the yet-to-be-named business that just came together this year.  She and  Brad can […]

Viscid Surf, one of our Local Workers, recently launched a brand  new line of organic, hand -poured surf waxes available exclusively online. Kevin Schmoll, a local graphic designer and  surfer, grew up in Charleston and  began developing the formula three years ago. “As a surfer I always found it strange that a majority of surf waxes are […]

Us Charleston folk have our pick of the litter when it comes to exceptional event designers in town. As for Local Works member Arielle Stratton? She’s no exception. The Columbia native started Party.Love.Birds in 2013 and  has been on an event planning roll ever since. Her favorite part? “Getting creative,” Arielle explains. “I absolutely love […]

When it comes to design, Erika Firm prefers to take the old fashioned route with pen, ink and  paint. “I try to carve out at least one full day per week to get my hand s dirty and  explore new techniques,” the self proclaimed Girl Boss (she really is a Girl Boss, though) and  Creative Director […]

In a city where the entrepreneurial spirit is still alive and  well, and  the font of creative talent is overflowing, promoting yourself professionally is a huge hurdle. The job market can be daunting, and  when your passion is your craft, the last thing you want to be doing is spending countless hours staring at a […]

  Michael Whitfield is a lifelong entrepreneur. If he had it his way, he would waste away the hours inventing new things all day every day. He fostered this creative energy at The Citadel–MIlitary College of South Carolina, where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and  Environmental Engineering. While studying to become […]

This Saturday, April 4th we are hitting the deck at the Pour House to celebrate the Lowcountry Street Grocery’s Kickstarter Launch Party. Doors open at 2pm, and  we’ll have live music all day kicking off with Gerald Gregory & The Mustard Seeds at 3pm. The line-up continues with Two Tons featuring members of Gaslight Street […]

FROM THE DESKS OF LOCAL WORKERS: Originally posted on Creators’ Clubhouse Feb 27, 2015. Creative professionals and  freelancers want to work; companies and  causes need a helping hand . “But where are all those cool jobs our friends seem to know about before we do?” “Where are the creatives who can really deliver?” Creator’s Clubhouse creates a community […]

Originally posted on the LowcountryLocalFirst.org blog on 3/20/2015 By Lauren Gellatly, Community Development Director at Lowcountry Local First While attending a recent Urban Land  Institute annual Carolinas conference in Charleston, SC, I was intrigued by commercial real estate guru and  marketer Gunnar Branson’s update to the well-worn real estate mantra: “Location, Location, Location.” Branson shared […]

  By Larry Downey, Community Manager @ Lowcountry Local First larry@lowcountrylocalfirst.org I am a huge proponent of mentorship. I had a mentor from sixth grade through high school who helped me navigate the treacherous waters of being a teenager. This experience actually led me to become a mentor for a young man in need of […]

Rob Kleiman is one of the many movers and  shakers here at Local Works. In a recent contribution to Charleston Grit he talks about transmuting stressful situations  during the holidays into creative wellsprings: Read more

Watching collaborations happen is the most rewarding part of of being the Community Manager at Local Works. We’ve only been up and  running since June, but we already have a strong community and  everyone in the space enjoys a sense of comradery. The environment is prime for organic collaboration with very little need for contrived or forced interaction. Creative […]

Lowcountry Local First is seeking applicants to present during a session at the August 21st, 2014 GOODBusiness Summit in a session titled ‘Marketplace of Ideas.’ During the session,  early-stage entrepreneurs will present an idea or opportunity to a panel of business owners and  experts for advice and  feedback, with audience interaction. Potential topics may include: […]

The artwork is up! Local Works displays rotating artwork in the office space from Charleston’s local artists. One talented individual showcases their pieces on the walls of Local Works for a three month period and  all pieces are up for sale. Come check out our first artist, Thomas Sweeney. He will be showcased until the […]

Lowcountry Local First presents: The GOODBusiness Summit – Aug 21, 2014 30 Speakers / 9 Sessions The GOODBusiness Summit is a one-day event presented by Lowcountry Local First with speakers and  panel discussions exploring how successful entrepreneurs do WELL in business while creating a positive community impact. Attendees will learn how to implement innovative ideas […]

Making Local Works Posted by Ashley Sprouse on Thu, Jul 17, 2014 at 8:30 AM Lowcountry Local First (LLF), a Charleston-based non-profit that does advocacy work for local-independent businesses and  farmers, has launched their latest brainchild Local Works. Their newest project will create a co-working environment for local businesses and  is located on the same […]

LLF is seeking to adorn their walls with works from talented local artists. The space will be home to a wide range of entrepreneurs and  at capacity will host up to 40 businesses daiy. There will also be a high level of foot traffic with workshops hosted during the day and  events in the evening. […]

What if you could enjoy more leisure time while earning a higher wage? That’s the boon awaiting the one in ten people who start coworking this year. Everyone else will have to work more. But three fourths of coworking respondents reported a significant bonus at year’s end. Though the coworking boom has cooled off slightly […]

Up to 35 local entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to work under the same roof with a new co-working space in downtown Charleston. Lowcountry Local First — a Charleston nonprofit that supports local, independent businesses and  promotes local goods — plans to open a co-working space in the first quarter of 2014. The space will […]